The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers will be locked in the Western Conference Finals in the upcoming round, and we will be spoiled for choices when it comes to superstar power. Specifically, Nikola Jokic will be leading the Denver Nuggets as he has done all year, finishing runner-up to the MVP award by posting 24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, and 9.8 APG in the regular season and capturing the first seed in the conference. The Lakers were spearheaded by LeBron James and Anthony Davis, with the latter acting as the paint enforcer and key player throughout the year.
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Since they are two big men, how do Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis fare against each other? There is no doubt that Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis are two of the top-five big men in the NBA. Both players possess a unique set of skills and abilities that make them essential cornerstones of their respective teams’ success. A two-time MVP, Jokic is known for his playmaking ability and high basketball IQ, while Davis is lauded for his defensive prowess and scoring ability. As the league direction shifts towards positionless basketball, Jokic has exemplified the new wave of dominant big men who are capable of playing all over the court. His ability to handle the ball, pass, shoot, and rebound at an elite level has earned him a reputation as one of the most versatile players in the NBA.
Davis’ game revolves around his superior athleticism and defensive dominance. An athletic marvel with the ability to guard multiple positions, Davis is a walking double-double, averaging 24 PPG, 10.4 RPG, and 2.3 BPG throughout his career. The Lakers’ big man is a dominant defensive player, making four All-Defensive Teams and leading the NBA in blocks three times. This is, of course, in addition to his superb offensive capabilities, which include a range of moves in and around the paint and beyond the arc.
But when comparing the two, which player comes out on top as we head into the Western Conference Finals? While statistics can only say so much, it is a good place to start comparing their performances. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of both players’ strengths and weaknesses, their impact on their respective teams, and ultimately attempt to determine who is the better all-around player before Tuesday night’s matchup.
Scoring – Even
Nikola Jokic is known for his finesse and skill when it comes to scoring. He has a unique blend of size and agility that makes him a threat both inside the paint and out on the perimeter, and while he is an excellent shooter, particularly from mid-range, he is also proficient in the post. He excels at using his footwork and ability to read the defense to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Jokic posted 24.5 PPG during the regular season and is averaging 30.7 PPG in the playoffs so far.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is a more unique big-man scorer. At 6’10” and with a wingspan of 7’6”, he is a physical specimen who uses his strength and athleticism to score. AD is a force inside the paint and is an excellent finisher around the rim. He can also stretch the floor with his shooting, with a solid mid-range game and a decent three-point shot. Additionally, Davis is also an effective scorer in transition, using his speed and agility to outrun defenders. Using a mix of inside and perimeter scoring, Davis averaged 25.9 PPG in the regular season and 21.2 PPG in the playoffs so far despite playing alongside LeBron James. Davis has more offensive moves than Jokic, but due to the Serbian’s elite numbers, this one evens out.
Shooting – Nikola Jokic
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In terms of shooting, Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis have different skill sets. Jokic is known for his ability to shoot from a distance, while Davis is more of a mid-range shooter. Jokic has a solid three-point shot, shooting an impressive 38.3% from behind the arc during the regular season and 47.5% from three-point range in the postseason. He also has a reliable mid-range shot and can finish well around the rim, often using his powerful frame to back down helpless defenders and shoot an unstoppable soft hook shot. Jokic is the only center in the league that actually plays the right way as a big man.
Davis, on the other hand, has a good mid-range game but is not as reliable from beyond the arc. He shot just 25.7% from 3-point range during the regular season and only 27.3% from deep in the playoffs. However, Davis compensates with his athleticism, allowing him to create space for his shot and finish well at the rim. He is also a skilled post-up player, relying on his size and footwork to get his shot off, thanks to a fadeaway jumper. Overall, Jokic and Davis have different shooting styles, but Jokic has been far more effective from deep this year and heading into the Western Conference Finals.
Athleticism – Anthony Davis
Nikola Jokic is not known for his explosive athleticism but rather for his high basketball IQ and craftiness. While he may not have the same level of quickness and leaping ability as Davis, Jokic uses his strength, footwork, and vision to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He is a skilled passer who can operate as the primary facilitator on his team’s offense. Still, in terms of athleticism, Jokic is 6’11” and 284 lbs, and power is certainly a factor in his game.
When it comes to athleticism, Anthony Davis is widely regarded as one of the most physically gifted players in the NBA. With a rare combination of size, speed, and agility, he can effortlessly glide across the court and dominate on both ends of the floor. Davis is known for his ability to run the floor, finish above the rim, and defend multiple positions with his length and quickness. We might have never seen a traditional big man as tall as Davis (6’10”) with extremely long arms that can move as freely as he does, so he takes this category with ease.
Defense – Anthony Davis
Jokic’s defense is more focused on positioning and decision-making. As a center, he uses his size and intelligence to read the game and position himself in areas where he can effectively contest shots and protect the rim. Additionally, he uses his understanding of offensive players’ tendencies to outsmart opponents and disrupt their offensive game plan. At 6’11” and over 280 lbs, the Serbian is also massive as a figure in the paint and that will always make it hard for opposing players to score in the paint. This season, Jokic averaged 1.3 SPG and 0.7 BPG, while his postseason numbers sit at 1.1 SPG and 0.7 BPG.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is often considered one of the best defensive players in the league, with his excellent shot-blocking skills and quick reaction times. He has a high vertical leap that enables him to swat balls out of reach, and he’s also able to use his athleticism to contest perimeter shots. Additionally, Davis’ ability to defend multiple positions makes him a valuable asset to any team. While both players bring unique strengths to their defensive game, Davis’s athleticism and shot-blocking ability give him a slight edge in terms of defensive impact. Davis is posting 3.3 BPG in the playoffs so far, an extremely impressive number.
Handles – Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic is known for his excellent ball-handling skills for a big man, while Davis is relatively average in this regard. Jokic has impressive ball-handling skills that allow him to bring the ball up the court or take defenders off the dribble. He is also proficient in executing pick-and-rolls, which allows him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. Jokic’s ball-handling skills also permit him to run the offense and make plays from the high post, showcasing his versatility as a player. For the first time ever, we are seeing a point center dominate the NBA.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is not known for his ball-handling abilities but can hold his own at times. Davis is capable of dribbling and driving to the basket, but his primary role on offense is not to run the offense or facilitate plays. Nonetheless, his size and athleticism make him a formidable force in the paint, and he often relies on his agility to make his way to the basket. Overall, Jokic has an edge when it comes to ball handling and there should be no debate about that.
Clutch – Even
Nikola Jokic is clutch, make no mistake about that. There were concerns about the Serbian’s inability to lead the Denver Nuggets to enough wins in the postseason, but that comes down to the health of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. In big games this year, Jokic has come through time and time again and has been a force when it comes to closing out opponents, including the stubborn Phoenix Suns. Whether it comes to scoring or making the correct pass, the Serbian will be a force in the clutch this year.
Anthony Davis has had clutch moments in the past, including a game-winner against the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of the 2020 Western Conference Finals.
Davis also had a dagger in the same playoff run, this time coming in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat. This season, even when he has elite scorers such as LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell by his side, Davis will be a threat in the clutch because he can score in a variety of ways and will even get it done on defense. In the end, there is no separation between the two stars in this particular category.
Leadership – Nikola Jokic
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In terms of leadership, Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis approach the game with different styles. Jokic is a vocal leader who leads by his actions and mentality, while Davis is more of a quiet leader who leads by example. Jokic is known for his passion and energy on the court, which inspires his teammates and pushes them to play harder. He’s not afraid to demand the best from his teammates and hold them accountable when necessary. His positive attitude and work ethic are contagious and have helped him earn the respect of his teammates.
On the other hand, Davis can only lead through his dominant performances and experience. His big-time performances at times make him a role model for his teammates. Unfortunately, Davis is not as consistent as Jokic, which means he can’t be as dominant of a leader as Jokic. Overall, both Jokic and Davis are respected by their teammates and are considered leaders in their respective teams. While their methods may differ, Jokic has a stronger leadership style because he is the best player on a team that made the Western Conference Finals.
Basketball IQ – Nikola Jokic
Basketball IQ is a critical component in any player’s success, and both Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis have demonstrated a high level of basketball IQ throughout their careers. Jokic has been praised for his basketball IQ due to his high level of court vision and outstanding passing ability. As an elite playmaker, Jokic often reads the defense well and makes the right decisions in split-second situations, setting up his teammates in scoring positions. He understands how to use his size and body control to get the shot that he wants, and is often great at creating opportunities for himself as well. Amazingly, the Serbian almost averaged 10 APG as a center, something we might never see again.
Davis, on the other hand, is known for his versatility on both ends of the court. He has demonstrated a high level of basketball IQ by being able to play and guard multiple positions, and his on-court awareness and ability to read opponents to take advantage of gaps and openings have made him one of the most versatile players in the NBA. He demonstrates patience and decisiveness when it comes to shot selection and is often able to anticipate where the ball is going next and adjust his positioning accordingly. As great as Davis is offensively, he is not as talented as Jokic in terms of making plays and that means the Serbian is a smarter player.
Impact – Nikola Jokic
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Nikola Jokic, a two-time MVP, has been the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets’ success since he entered the league. His passing ability from the center position is unrivaled, and his scoring and rebounding abilities make him a triple-double threat every time he takes the court. Jokic also steps up in clutch moments, making game-winning shots and leading his team to crucial victories. This season, Jokic’s numbers have been ridiculous in the regular season (24.5 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 9.8 APG, 1.3 SPG, 0.7 BPG) and the playoffs (30.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 9.7 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 0.7 BPG). As an all-around star, he has been arguably the most dominant player in the postseason.
On the other hand, Davis has made a significant impact on both ends of the court. He has been named to the All-Defensive team multiple times thanks to his shot-blocking ability and his versatility to guard multiple positions. On the offensive side, Davis can score from anywhere on the court and is often a go-to option in crucial moments. This season, Davis averaged more PPG and RPG than Jokic but was not as great in terms of setting up teammates. Davis has also been bolstered by LeBron James’ presence, something Jokic does not have the benefit of. As a result, Jokic is clearly the more impactful player.
Efficiency – Nikola Jokic
The Denver Nuggets superstar is known for his high level of efficiency as a passer and a shooter, the latter being the main reason why the center is far more efficient than Davis. The Serbian shot 63.2% from the field, 38.3% from three, and 82.2% from the free-throw line during the regular season. So far in the playoffs, Jokic is shooting 54.9% from the field, 47.5% from three, and 78.7% from the stripe. These are elite numbers from an efficiency standpoint and Jokic simply can’t be stopped offensively.
Anthony Davis, on the other hand, is known for his efficiency as a scorer, although he has been streaky over the past few seasons. This season, the Lakers’ star big man shot 56.3% from the field, 25.7% from deep, and 78.5% from the free-throw line. In the playoffs so far, Davis is shooting 53.0% from the field, 27.3% from deep, and 83.8% from the stripe. The Nuggets center is shooting far better from three and his ability to score near the rim anytime he wants makes the difference in this category.
1-On-1 Game – Even
When it comes to the one-on-one game, both Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis are formidable opponents, but they approach the game with different methods. Jokic’s unique skill set as a big man allows him to take advantage of mismatches from both inside and outside the perimeter. He’s an excellent post-up player, can score with finesse, and has a great ability to read the defense, which enables him to effectively draw defenders toward him before hitting open teammates. As a scorer, Jokic is far too powerful to handle and his magical touch around the rim means he can’t be handled in most one-on-one situations.
Meanwhile, Anthony Davis is a skilled inside scorer with great footwork and agility, making him tough to guard in the paint. His length and athleticism allow him to get to the rim quickly, and his shooting ability from outside the arc adds another dimension to his game. He’s also a strong defender who can switch and guard multiple positions effortlessly. In two-way play, Davis might edge Jokic, but he does not have the Serbian’s sheer consistency in scoring around the rim anytime he wants.
Overall, this one is a very close call but will be called even in fairness to both players. This category won’t make a dent in this comparison, however, as Jokic is clearly the better player heading into the Western Conference Finals.
Final ResultNikola Jokic vs. Anthony Davis 6-2
In the end, there is no doubt that Nikola Jokic is the better player and will be a stronger factor heading into the Western Conference Finals matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Serbian is a more dominant player in terms of using his size, playmaking, and leadership to lead his team to victories. Jokic has been far more consistent than Davis this season and will never have a game in which he is not the primary factor for his side.
Jokic is a better shooter, passer, and leader, while Davis has more offensive moves and a better defensive game. In a series that will be all about superstars, the Serbian will have a weight advantage over Davis (284 lbs vs. 253 lbs) along with an inch of height which means he won’t be easy to handle when his back is to the basket. Davis has longer arms and a leap to get to Jokic’s shots, but that won’t be enough.
The fact that Jokic has been the better player this season and is the better player entering the series doesn’t mean it’s a foregone conclusion the Denver Nuggets will defeat the Los Angeles Lakers. The Nuggets could be the favorites in a series that will go six or seven games, but LeBron James could play back to his prime level and that could give the Purple and Gold the advantage. However, in terms of pure superstar power at the center spot, Jokic edges Anthony Davis and that should not be discussed once this comparison is taken into account.
